Well after last week's bummer appointment with John's oncologist talking post-surgical chemo statistics, odds, success rates...blah, blah, blah...yesterday's appointment with Dr. Taylor, John's radiologist, shed some optimistic light. Dr. Taylor wants to consult with John's surgeon, Dr. Low at Virginia Mason, about the possibility of doing post-surgical radiation treatment. This would coincide with post-surgical chemo treatments.
The only area treated pre-surgically with radiation was the KNOWN area where the tumor WAS. Nothing was treated above a certain level of John's chest area, the level where Dr. Low took some additional sample lymph nodes during surgery for pathology to review. Those nodes showed live cancer cells.
While post-surgical radiation treatment is not the norm, Dr. Taylor believes there is an excellent chance that, because John's cancer (tumor) area responded so well (it all went away), remaining cancer cells would respond in the same manner. Great news, right?!?!? However -- isn't there always a "however?" -- Dr. Taylor needs to consult with Dr. Low because he wants to avoid damaging the stomach/esophagus connection and other areas that are still healing from surgery. Our next step is to meet tomorrow with Dr. Low and go from there.
So in addition to working on/donating those jigsaw puzzles, holding good thoughts, saying those prayers, and telepathically holding our hands, I'm asking you to cross your fingers. Remember what they say about idle hands...Thanks for keeping yours busy for John. As always, thank you...Nancy.
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